Students are seen in between classes on on the Arts Quad on the first day of Fall Semester.

Committed to our students

Discover how the campaign has helped students learn, thrive, and lead

By AAD Staff August 13, 2026

Throughout the record-breaking To Do the Greatest Good campaign, Cornellians united around a shared purpose: doing the greatest good we can do for our students, our nation, and our world. Every gift, every act of service, and every moment of connection to Cornell made a difference.

220600

engaged alumni

70% of all living alumni

500000+

donors

$6.77B

raised

Surpassed our $5 billion goal

$437M

Cornell Annual Funds

Surpassed our $400 million goal

Helping students excel, explore, and thrive

Your support has helped more students afford to attend Cornell, learn to be leaders, and carry the Cornell ethos out into the world. You’ve given them access to a life-changing education, and funded the programs and extracurriculars that make their time on the Hill transformative.

Vianny Lara ’25 posing with the Touchdown mascot

Manifesting her Cornell dream

“Cornell has the power to free you, both academically and financially,” says Vianny Lara ’25, a graduate of the Dyson School. “It’s freeing to be in a place where I can invest in myself.”

Read Vianny’s story

Increasing access and affordability

Financial aid is crucial for keeping Cornell’s founding promise of “… any person … any study” a reality.

Over the course of the campaign, for the Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses:

29000+

donors to scholarship funds

$541.83M

raised through the Undergraduate Affordability Initiative

Surpassed our $500 million goal

$7.7M+

raised from gifts of $500 or less

541

undergraduate scholarships established

119

graduate scholarships established

professional scholarships established

Nearly 200 gifts of $50,000+ were made to support scholarships at Weill Cornell Medicine. Gifts have helped eliminate medical education debt for qualifying students.

Many of the opportunities that students benefit from on campus exist because people chose to give back. Seeing that collective support reminds students that they are part of a community that believes in them and wants to help them succeed.

—Carley Canty ’26

The value of investing in Cornell

Isaac Wong ’00 made a gift to support Cornell’s undergraduate affordability initiative—and hopes to inspire others to give back, too.

Cornell clubs lead grassroots efforts for affordability

Regional Cornell clubs and associations have come together to support local communities, causes, and students on campus today—including raising funds for 90 different scholarships.

Weill Cornell Medicine eliminates medical education debt for all qualifying students

A transformative new scholarship program established by Weill Cornell Medicine will eliminate medical education debt for all students who qualify for financial aid.

Historic gift supports scholarships

A historic $50 million gift from Peter Nolan ’80, MBA ’82, and Stephanie Nolan ’84, established the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration. The gift provides scholarship funding to expand educational access for future generations of hospitality business leaders.

“For those who dream, Cornell is your place.”

Farid Ferdows ’21 did not anticipate the robust support system he discovered at Cornell.

Donor steps up to support RED Veterinary Scholars

“What the RED Veterinary Scholars program does is help these students get to the finish line of their DVM program with less debt and more freedom to pursue post-graduate opportunities that serve the greatest good (like service in low-cost clinics).” —Cynthia Suprenant

Jacobs Scholarships support 500+ engineering students

Since its inception, the Jacobs Scholarships and Fellowships in Engineering have fueled the educations and aspirations of more than 500 Cornell Duffield Engineering students—through nearly 1,300 awards.

Gift expands debt-free scholarship funding for medical students

Louise and Leonard Riggio made a $5.6 million gift to Weill Cornell Medicine to establish a named scholarship for medical students. The scholarship will cover the full cost of attendance for all four years of medical school.

Finding Big Red community

“When I found out I was accepted, it was an out-of-body experience,” Paul Vermette ’22, MPS ’25 recalls. “The financial aid was extremely generous. Basically, people cared and put in the effort to assist me with my finances.”

Supporting student scholarships and medical education

Margaret Smith, a longtime champion of Weill Cornell Medicine, has made an extraordinary $20 million bequest to strengthen student scholarships and elevate medical education at the medical college.

Afghan scholar says her Cornell education is a dream come true

Mursal Rahim MPA ’25 has spent her life running toward education and the power it gives her to improve the lives of others. The Brooks School of Public Policy supported her Cornell education.

Three new scholarships focus on first-generation students

A gift from Mark DeAngelis ’91, MPA ’92 and Carmen Molinos ’94 established three endowed undergraduate scholarship funds in the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, the College of Human Ecology, and the ILR School.

50%

Approximately half of Cornell’s undergraduate student body receives need-based aid.

Students whose family net income is $75,000 or less can attend with no need for loans.

$295

With the Cornell Academic Materials Program, students can pay a single flat rate for textbooks and course packs per semester.

Giving a young individual the opportunity to attend Cornell, when otherwise they may not have been able to afford that, is changing the trajectory of their life.

—Dr. David Rosenberg ’89, MD ’93

Supporting Cornell's educational excellence

Cornell students are participating in research projects only found here. They’re taking advantage of immersive learning opportunities, and evolving in step with how the world is changing. And they have access to some of the best faculty around the world—giving them the resources and skills to become leaders themselves. Your support has helped Cornell expand these offerings.

Hands-on learning

Cameron Xu ’26 worked as an undergraduate researcher—applying novel methods in computation, statistics, and biology in the lab of animal science professor Vimal Selvaraj to advance cancer research and other human health challenges.

Student draws on experience to transform assistive communication

Cornell Tech doctoral student Tobias Weinberg and adviser Thijs Roumen, assistant professor at Cornell Tech, are working to transform assistive communication technologies.

Students tackle campus trash and food waste

Students like Ellie Butkovich ’26 are advancing sustainability on campus, seeing areas for improvement and taking action.

A trip to Malawi proves to be life-changing—Dena Rubanowitz ’20

Cornell Law School Clinical Programs provide the opportunity for students to advocate on behalf of real clients, with real legal problems.

Student-built bridges connect communities thanks to engineering course

Engineering in the Community (CEE 3090) debuted in the spring 2025 semester, offering students hands-on experience designing and building infrastructure that benefits local communities.

Celebrating 30 years of Dilmun Hill Student Farm

For 30 years, Dilmun Hill has been a living laboratory for experiential learning, and a place where students can grow crops and grow as people.

Gift launches Selander Center for Engineering Leadership

A significant gift to Cornell Duffield Engineering established the Nancy and Bob Selander Center for Engineering Leadership, making leadership development a central component of the college’s undergraduate education, graduate training, and faculty development.

A&S program expands undergrad research opportunities

The Nexus Scholars program, funded by nearly $5 million in philanthropic support, leverages the student-to-faculty ratio and the vibrant research enterprise in Arts and Sciences to expand opportunities for students—while also enhancing Cornell’s culture of collaborative scholarship.

Learning across difference—and disciplines

A new class at Cornell co-developed by Arts and Sciences Dean Peter John Loewen, called Disagreement, helps students learn how to address and move through disagreements at work, at home, in their communities, and in society.

Pursuing a greater calling

Efe Airewele ’20 dreamed of studying public health. She discovered something unique at Cornell: the opportunity to study global and public health sciences as an undergraduate student.

New Department of Design Tech

The new Department of Design Tech at Cornell University is a multi-college, transdisciplinary initiative pioneering innovation, research, and teaching on topics at the intersection of design and emerging technology that most greatly impact a changing world.

The farm of the future

Farms generate massive amounts of data, yet most can’t fully utilize it. Hakim Weatherspoon, professor of computer science at Cornell Bowers, and the Cornell Agricultural Systems Testbed team at CALS are revolutionizing farm data integration for AI-powered insights.

Gift established Paul Rubacha Department of Real Estate

A $30 million gift from Paul Rubacha ’72, MBA ’73, has created an innovative, multi-college department of real estate, uniting partners across academia and industry, and building on Cornell’s strengths in engaged learning and impact-focused scholarship to increase opportunities for students and advance the field.

Teaching innovation

50+

Nobel Prize winners have been affiliated with Cornell, as alumni or faculty.

Cornellians have been elected to the National Academy of Sciences since the inaugural elections in 1863.

Teaching the way people learn

Steve Jackson, vice provost for academic innovation, shares how the Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation team is advancing the art and science of teaching at Cornell.

Faculty elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences

President Michael I. Kotlikoff and professors Olga Boudker, Cathy Caruth, and Francesca Molinari have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the academy announced in April 2026.

Alumni support McGraw Hall renovation project

“McGraw is a symbol of the college’s dedication to the humanities and to the preservation of our history,” said Peter John Loewen, the Harold Tanner Dean of Arts and Sciences. “It also celebrates our commitment to providing modern classrooms, offices and research spaces for students, faculty and staff.”

Weiss and Provost awards honor outstanding faculty

Seven teaching faculty from across the university were awarded Cornell’s highest honors for graduate and undergraduate teaching in February 2026.

‘A completely different game’: Faculty, students harness AI in the classroom

Many faculty members across Cornell’s colleges and disciplines are embracing AI’s capabilities and limitations in their classrooms—from textile applications to government classes.

Award recognizes graduate teaching excellence

Mao Ye PhD '11 and Xi Yang PhD '10 created the Christine Ye Award to recognize excellence in graduate teaching by a domestic teaching assistant. They previously created the Cornelia Ye Award, recognizing outstanding graduate teaching by an international teaching assistant.

Thriving on campus and beyond

Learning and growth don’t just happen in a classroom. From joining project groups and teams to taking part in campus events, the experiences students have at Cornell can help shape their futures. Your support has helped them build life skills and friendships, and become thoughtful citizens.

Community means you don’t have to be strong alone. And leadership is not always about being the loudest person in the room. Sometimes it is showing up with heart, encouraging the person next to you, and giving your full energy because your team deserves it.

—Kirah Evile ’26

James Reinbold ’26 bridges the gap between the brotherhood of the Cornell football team and the creative community of Performing and Media Arts.

3765

students involved in club sports teams

3482

students participating in intramural sports

1212

student-athletes across 37 varsity programs

Building a strong community

Ceriale family foundation gift will support student mental health

A $20 million gift from Cornellian parents John and Melissa Ceriale will fund the placement of embedded therapists in Cornell’s Ithaca campus schools and colleges, and significantly expand a well-being coaching program for all students.

Health Promoting Campus: Wellbeing through nature

Trisha Bhujle ’26 shares how staying active—both physically and through extracurricular activities—has enhanced her wellbeing. She highlights how spending time outdoors reduces her stress levels and fosters her commitment to protect and conserve our environment.

‘Transformative’ Meinig Fieldhouse

New facilities will significantly increase recreation space on central campus for all students, part of the ongoing commitment to the Okanagan Charter that identifies Cornell as a health-promoting campus.

Gift creates Feil Family and Weill Family Residence Hall

The newly named residence greatly expands Weill Cornell Medicine’s student residential space and provides aspiring doctors, scientists, and health-care leaders with a modern living and learning environment that will enable them to thrive.

Immersive learning opportunities

87%

of the Class of 2026 had a community-engaged learning experience.

9000+

students enrolled in community-engaged learning courses.

100%

goal participation in community-engaged learning among undergraduates by 2029.

Gift endows Einhorn Center pre-orientation service trips

This program gives incoming Cornellians an opportunity to engage with one another and returning student leaders—while receiving an introduction to off-campus volunteering opportunities. Thanks to a generous gift, the program will be supported in perpetuity.

Historic gift to ILR will endow engaged-learning initiative

A foundational gift will fund stipends, subsidize housing, and provide robust program support for High Road New York City, which provides students with engaged-learning and leadership opportunities at the ILR School.

Student teams raise funds to turn their ideas into action

Cornell crowdfunding projects help student groups raise funds for project teams that bring resources to rural communities, perform around the country, and compete across the world.

Learning through the lens

As part of the community-engaged learning mission of the David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement, the College of Arts and Sciences Rural Humanities Film seminar pairs Cornell students with local partners to co-create documentaries about life in Ithaca and nearby communities.

Cornell and SUNY students show $400 is enough to change lives

Fatima Zeshan ’28 and Calyssa Orellana ’27 are co-presidents of the Homelessness Action Project, a student group supporting organizations that assist people experiencing homelessness. The group launched the “Village Fellowship Project” to provide necessities such as personal hygiene items, first aid kits, or moving supplies to young adults in the Village at Ithaca’s transitional housing program.

Helping solve problems—in and out of the lab

“Cornell, for me, has been an eye-opening experience that I really couldn’t have expected as a prospective incoming student. The things that I got involved in ended up surprising me. If you’re willing to do what you’re interested in—taking a leap of faith and looking at things that might be new to you—you never know what will become a passion.”
—Brendan Kosztyo ’25

Cornell has given so much to me, and it continues to give… Not only did I get a great education, but I also met some very special people in my life, as a student and now as an alumna.

—Rebecca Lee ’02 shares the inspiration behind her gift to Cornell